"Heeey, Bakugou, now that I think about it...didn't you use to be childhood friends with the Quirkless?"

Walking down an empty street, Katsuki and his pair of friends wandered behind him. The one who had asked the question rolled a cigarette between his teeth. The other follower also looked at Bakugou with curious eyes, long fingers moving in the air.

"Yeah, recently you've been going a bit too far..."

Katsuki scoffed, flipping a can in his hand.

"It's his fault that he always gets in my way..." He narrowed his eyes as he kicked a random soda bottle to the side, uncaring as his smacked against a wall, contents spilled. "He had a stupid dream...just thinking about it makes me pissed off...!"

The can in his hand exploded, the drink and foam coated his palm. Katsuki tsked and shook his hand out, tossing the wrecked can to the side before rounding on the two behind him, jabbing a finger at the one who was smoking.

"And what did I tell you about smoking!? If someone finds out about you, it'll look bad on my school report, d**n it."

But the two weren't looking at him. The blonde narrowed his gaze when they were looking up slightly in fear, looking past Bakugou.

"Wha--!?"

"D-Dude, behind you!"

Katsuki narrowed his gaze and spun around before darkness engulfed his vision. Something goopy was surrounding him. He heard panicked screams behind him, but he couldn't focus on that. It was getting hard to breathe--!

<<(On a certain building)>>

"But, but, but, b-but--!? AJSKXNSIAHADJDO!?"

Rene sweatdropped as Midoriya had a slight mental breakdown, reaching into his black blazer to pull his fedora out and plop it onto his unruly brown locks, Leon attached to the black hat.

All Might, in his gaunty form, stood awkwardly on the side as Izuku continued to mumble nonsense, Rene sighed and lifted a hand up to pluck Leon from his fedora. He moved forward and smacked the teen in the face with a green fan.

"Oi, calm down, kid."

Midoriya snapped to his senses before looking at Rene with surprise.

"EEEEEEH!? WAIT, IS THAT LEON!? WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM!? WHY IS HE A FAN ALL OF A SUDDEN!?"

Rene looked a bit irked, dragging his free hand over his face as Leon transformed back into a chameleon.

"...Let's put this in simple terms. Leon is a...special chameleon that has a...Quirk to change into anything."

Izuku's eyes widened with surprise before he started to mutter to himself.

"A chameleon having a Quirk? I've never really heard that animals could have Quirks. Maybe because he's a reptile? Or just because he's cold-blooded? I've heard about how DNA can affect the chances of having a Quir--"

Rene flicked Midoriya's forehead and the teen winced slightly before blushing out of embarrassment when the brunet looked at him pointedly. Izuku finally turned to look at All Might, bowing nervously.

"U-Um...sorry about my breakdown...and mumbling. A-Also...are you alright?" His green eyes filled with worry. "Wh-What happened to you, All Might? Are...are you really All Might?"

All Might blinked before sweatdropping, waving a hand in the air, coughing.

"I...I am All Might--blurgh."

More blood spouted from his mouth and Rene sighed and quickly walked over to the blonde, apparently used to the other's blood-spitting.

"You're pushing yourself again..."

All Might blinked before looking at the brunet with surprise and recognition.

"You are......Rene!" The blonde coughed again, grimacing when a trickle of blood came out before watching the brunet carefully. "I thought you said you were returning to your temporary home to watch over a kid..."

Rene huffed and moved the hero to sit down against the rail.

"You already met him."

All Might blinked his eyes rapidly in confusion before turning his attention to Midoriya as Rene lifted the skeleton-like man's shirt up a bit.

"Him...? I see..."

Izuku gasped with shock, ice injected into his veins at the sight of the horrifying wound on All Might's side which was revealed by Rene. The brunet himself grimaced before sighing, moving a hand up over the wound. Midoriya could've sworn that there was a yellow glow under Rene's finger tips, but it could've been the trick of the light.

"You push yourself too much, Yagi-san." Rene mumbled, eyes focused on the wound. "What if you were caught in somewhere more public? You're lucky that only Midoriya Izuku-kun is here. He can keep a secret."

All Might barked out a small laugh as Rene let his t-shirt fall back into place.

"Well...that's a relief."

Midoriya looked at All Might with worry, chewing on his bottom lip.

"What...what happened to you, All Might?"

The hero sighed lightly patting Rene's shoulder in--what seemed to be--thanks as the brunet stood up. All Might avoided Izuku's eyes, a little unsure of how to approach the situation.

"Welp," Rene cut in. "I'm going after the sludge villain."

All Might sat up in surprise.

"Rene! By yourself?"

Rene furrowed his eyebrows and stared at the blonde, as if saying, 'of course'.

"Well...no one else currently knows about it. Plus, I have my motorcycle. It'll be a quick job. Also," He looked pointedly at All Might and Izuku. "I believe some privacy will help you two sort things out. Izuku-kun," The said boy straightened his back. "Stay safe. And Ya--All Might," The blonde looked at the brunet with concern. "Don't push yourself too much."

Rene then turned on his heel, earring tinkling softly with each step he took. He exited the area through the rooftop door, taking one stern glance over his shoulder at the two before disappearing.

Midoriya swallowed nervously before looking back at All Might. The skinny hero was looking at the door with concern before sighing, turning his head to look at Izuku. The teen fiddled with his fingers for a moment before choosing to sit down, looking at All Might with worry and confusion.

"So...c-could you tell me...what happened? I-I mean--! You don't have to...!"

All Might merely sighed and waved his right hand, wiping a smear of blood away from his chin with his left.

"It's fine. You have seen my true form anyways..." All Might watched the teen in front of him with sharp, green-blue eyes. "I will tell you of a battle that had occurred years ago..."

<<(With Rene)>>

Rene lowered his speed slightly as he went around a corner, the motorcycle tires screeching a bit. He paused at an intersection, light reflecting off of his black helmet as he cocked his head, listening intently.

The brunet quickly snapped his hands up and removed his helmet, brown eyes narrowing sharply. He listened again, furrowing his eyebrows as he hopped off of his motorcycle, wheeling it off to the side--

"GYAAAAAH! MONSTER!"

Rene blinked as two teens ran past in front of him as he parked his motorcycle, setting his helmet down on the leather seat. The brunet reached into his blazer and pulled his fedora out, setting it onto his head as Leon curled around his left wrist. He stepped out into the open and turned the corner before sighing exasperatedly.

"Of course, of course...." He muttered, reaching for Leon. "Bomb-Boy would be the one to set everything off, eh?"

The brunet loosely held a green umbrella in his hand, taking in the scene before him. He idly twirled his umbrella as he approached the mass of muck that had managed to capture and control one explosive Bakugou Katsuki.

"Heya." The brunet greeted, the villain turned to look at Rene as sparks started to fizzle around his goopy body. Katsuki was looking at Rene with shocked, confused and angry eyes. "I'd like you to let that kid go. He's a kid with a temper, but that's what makes him have a...fiery spirit, heh."

The villain laughed, some oily sludge splattering around the area, hitting a few nearby stores and walls.

"WHAT!? No way! Look at how powerful this Quirk is!" The goop smirked. "I'd rather keep this kid for now....and who are you to try and stop ME!?"

Rene allowed a smirk to dart across his face as he tapped his green umbrella onto his shoulder as if mocking the villain. He flicked his fedora up a bit and his brown eyes glowed orange for a brief second.

"...The name's Sinclair Rene. The World's Number One Tutor."

And the brunet darted forward, using the umbrella like a sword. The sludge villain laughed, sparks surrounding him.

"HAH!? WHAT KIND OF TITLE IS THAT!?"

~~

<<(With Izuku and All Might)>>

Izuku was now walking dejectedly through the city, the backstory behind All Might's grievous wound still haunting him. Midoriya bit his bottom lip.

'To think...that there would be someone strong enough to do that to...to All Might...' The teen stopped walking and squeezed his eyes shut. 'I...I really don't have a chance at being a hero, do I? Without a Quirk, I would be...usele--'

BOOOOM!

"AAAAAH, SOMEONE CALL A HERO!"

"What the he** is that guy doing!? He's gonna get hurt!"

"It doesn't look like he has a Quirk either! Where are the heroes!?"

"Is that a f**king umbrella in his hand!?"

"Ah, look at that poor kid! That sludge is holding him hostage!"

Midoriya blinked his eyes open, snapping his head up.

'Eh?'

The green-haired teen whipped his head around and caught sight of people crowding an area--at the same time running away from the explosions. Out of curiosity, Midoriya ran over, slightly hoping to see some heroes in action. After squeezing past a few people, Izuku was finally able to see what the fuss was about.

"GRAAAH, YOU B*****D, STOP RUNNING AROUND!"

Midoriya gasped and widened his eyes.

'....RENE-SAN!? EEEEEEEEHH!?'

The brunet himself was weaving through the explosions gracefully before smacking the villain in the head with his...umbrella!? Izuku's jaw dropped slightly.

'WHAT IS HE DOING!?'

Rene blinked and opened up the umbrella in front of him, tucking his legs into his chest as the villain swung a goopy hand at him. The attack met with the top of the umbrella and the brunet was merely shoved back through the air.

The brunet landed on the ground a few meters away, but he regained his footing and immediately ran back towards the goopy monster, closing the umbrella. He darted around the oily mass, looking for his next opening. After apparently finding it, Rene lunged in, stabbing the villain in the middle, avoiding--

Midoriya took a doubletake when he saw who exactly the hostage was:

Bakugou Katsuki.

Izuku watched with worry as Rene tugged his umbrella out quickly and avoided an explosive, goopy fist. The brunet used his free hand to keep his fedora on his head properly. Rene twirled the umbrella before tapping it onto his shoulder, looking up at the villain with blank eyes as he stood a safe distance away from the other.

"Can you let him go? I'm asking again." Izuku observed that Rene was tired. "If you don't, I'm gonna continue to go Mary Poppins on you."

"WHO THE HE** IS MARY POPPINS!?"

Izuku sweatdroped.

'Where is this conversation going...!?'

"Anyways, I--....." Rene's voice abruptly cut off and Midoriya sweatdropped and shuffled with worry.

'Oh no...did he....!?'

The goop villain stared at Rene before multiple sparks started to fly off of his slimy body.

"YOU FELL ASLEEP YOU B*****D!? WHAT THE F**K!?" The villain roared.

Izuku facepalmed himself.

'I KNEW IT! I thought Rene-san looked a lot more sluggish than usual! He forgot to take his daily cup of coffee I bet! Again!'

"Zzzz--wha--?" Rene snapped to attention, glancing around briefly to understand where he was before looking back at the villain. "Oh, sorry. What were you saying, Princess?"

Izuku could no longer tell if Rene was actually sleep-dazed or he was taunting the villain. After three years of living with Rene, the brunet would always have these sudden 'cat naps'. If the brunet didn't get his dosage of coffee, he would be sluggish throughout the rest of the day and nap more often.

The green-haired teen sweated bullets when the mass of goop stood taller over Rene.

"I'M GOING TO F**KING OBLITERATE YOU!"

Rene inclined his head before dodging to the side when an arm came slamming down onto the street of where he once stood.

Just then, heroes arrived and Midoriya instantly recognized them all. Kamui Wood, Mt. Lady, Deathgoro, Backdraft, and a few others. One the heroes called out, shouting at Rene.

"What are you doing!? You're gonna hurt yourself!"

Rene blinked and swerved to the side to avoid another goopy-explosive hand and called back to the hero.

"Whaaat? I'm gonna shirt my shelf?" The hero flushed out of anger and embarrassment as the brunet continued. "You're not making any sense!"

"Are you mocking me!? Or are you hard of hearing!?" The hero barked back.

Judging by the amused twinkle in Rene's eyes, Izuku could tell that the brunet was being annoying and playful with the hero on purpose. Rene huffed and jumped up this time, posing the umbrella as if he were playing a game of pool instead, aiming for the cue ball--or, in this case scenario, the villain's eye.

Rene stabbed the villain through the eye with his umbrella, a screech of pain ringing through the air. The brunet tugged his arm back, preparing to reset and attack again, but the green umbrella wouldn't come out; the goop villain smirked at Rene, holding it in place. The brunet blinked before smiling thinly at the other.

"Pop."

He opened up the umbrella and the villain's head burst. Rene took the moment to reach for Bakugou's freed hand--

"YOU THINK YOU CAN GET RID OF ME LIKE THAT, YOU B*****D!?"

Rene grunted and leapt back before a sparking, goopy hand touched his now defenseless side.

BANG!

The brunet was sent crashing into a nearby store, window breaking into shards once his body went through. The villain cackled and sent an explosion at the store for good measure; Midoriya gasped with horror as flames started to rage on.

"Hmph! Finally, I'm rid of that nuisance! Now then...!"

The heroes stayed where they were, seeing that they would only hurt the hostage with what Quirks they had. As he started to monologue slightly, Izuku ignored the villain and the other heroes in the area. His worried gaze was now brought to the blonde who was still within the sludge monster's grasp.

'Kacchan...!' His mind was running rampant. 'Oh no...! What should I do!? Wait, I can't do anything...I-I don't have a Quirk. Pl-Plus, the heroes are here. But Kacchan isn't looking so good right now. N-No, I would get in the w-way...!'

Suddenly, crimson eyes connected with green ones. In that moment, Midoriya could only see those eyes, calling out to him--calling for....

Help.

...

The wind was rushing against Izuku's face. Katsuki was getting closer for some reason. The green-haired teen's heart was beating loudly in his ears. What was...?

Oh.

Midoriya was running towards Bakugou. Katsuki wasn't getting closer to him--he was getting closer to Katsuki.

Ignoring the startled cries from the random citizens and heroes, Izuku quickly snapped to attention and unslung his backpack from himself.

'Fighting tactic of heroes! A distraction!' He threw his backpack while thinking back to earlier when Rene was fighting. 'It looked like his eyes were his weak point, so...!'

School supplies and Midoriya's backpack hit the sludge villain's eyes. The villain cried out in anger, but he was momentarily distracted and Izuku took his chance, tearing desperately at the goop with his fingers. Katsuki's mouth was released and he took a deep breath of air, coughing a bit to clear his lungs before he sent a glare of shock and anger at Izuku.

"WHAT THE F**K ARE YOU DOING HERE, DEKU?!"

Midoirya's hands were shaking as he continued to claw at the goop. He managed to look up at Bakugou, the shorter's expression reading terrified but determined. Izuku laughed nervously, smile looking more like a grimace.

"I-It looked like...you were calling for help!"

Katsuki widened his eyes and stared at Izuku with disbelief. Just then, a massive, slimy fist was raised above Midoriya's head, intent on crushing and blowing him up. Izuku noticed and squeezed his eyes shut, preparing for the pain.

Bang!

"Geez, kid, I gotta be everywhere for ya', huh?"

Midoriya snapped his eyes open to see Rene--looking completely unruffled in his black blazer and fedora--with his feet firmly planted on the slime villain's head, Leon-umbrella open to deflect the attack. The green-haired teen could've sworn that Rene's eyes flashed orange for a second before the brunet moved his gaze behind Midoriya.

"Uh-oh, brace for impact." Rene ducked down, Leon turning back into a chameleon, crawling onto the brunet's shoulder as he grabbed Izuku around the waist and Katsuki by the front of his uniform. "Here he comes."

"DETROIT SMASH!"

Izuku jolted at the familiar voice before the wind burst around him. Rene managed to yank Katsuki completely from the sludge villain's grasp. The adult had both teens within his grasp before he dodged the air wave that went at them. Rene landed safely away and gently put the teens down, turning his gaze in time to see that All Might was there, fist raised triumphantly.

"...I am pathetic..."

It was soft, and no one heard it except Rene. The brunet's lips thinned to a grim line as smaller blobs of the slime villain splattered around the area. Rene sighed as rain started to fall from the sky, tilting his fedora down slightly as the small shower passed.

The citizens broke out into cheers immediately, everyone chanting the name 'All Might'. The other heroes that were present seemed jealous before they went over to check on Katsuki and Izuku while All Might got surrounded by reporters.

More than half of the heroes went to praise Bakugou on his Quirk, saying it was 'powerful' and 'impressive'. Others even offered the blonde teen to become a sidekick to one of them. On the other hand, Izuku got scolded for being reckless--but that didn't last for long because of a certain brunet.

"You could've gotten hurt!" A hero barked, uncaring that Midoriya shrank into himself slightly, tucking his knees to his chest. "You're so reckle--"

"Shut up."

The two heroes that were scolding Izuku turned to see Rene standing there, his arms crossed. The brunet's fedora was shadowing one eye as he gazed neutrally at the arrogant hero.

"What were you guys doing when this kid rushed in to save Bomb-Boy?" The heroes bristled but stayed silent as Rene continued. "Exactly. Nothing."

One of them gritted his teeth before speaking up.

"Well, all of our Quirks were inadequate for the situation at hand! Plus, it didn't look like the villain had any weak points!"

Rene lifted an eyebrow.

"...If you had observed before I was flung into a store, the villain's weakness was obviously his eyes." The brunet helped Izuku to his feet. "And apparently, your eyes are also your weakness." He smiled coolly. "I'd say you should get your eyes checked out. You're blind."

The hero let out a growl but the tip of a closed umbrella was pressed against his throat. Rene inclined his head at the other.

"...If this were actually a sword, I don't think your head would be attached to your body anymore." He was satisfied to see the other swallow harshly. "Good day to you, Hero-san."

Rene lead Midoriya away before stopping where Bakugou was.

"Oi, Bomb-Boy. Let's get you home."

Surprisingly, Katsuki only gave a deadly glare at Rene before getting to his feet, starting to walk ahead with a click of his tongue. Rene hid a small smile of amusement as he lightly pushed Izuku to follow. The brunet made eye-contact with All Might, silently stating that they would be leaving as the blonde continued to give answers to the reporters.

~~

"F**king Deku and Weirdo, I didn't need your d**n help! I could've f**king handled it by myself!"

Rene ignored the blonde while Izuku nervously shuffled after the brunet adult. The explosive blonde stopped at an intersection, knowing he would have to go in an opposite direction in order to get home. His red eyes narrowed at the back of Rene and the scared face of Midoriya.

"DON'T GET IN MY F**KING WAY AGAIN!"

Izuku nervously nodded his head while Rene was silent, still walking ahead. A tick mark appeared on Bakugou's head.

"Hey, DO YOU HEAR ME B*****D!? I'm talking to you, Weirdo!"

Rene stopped walking and turned around fully, a small smile turning a corner of his mouth up. His dull eyes were lit with amusement.

"Loud and clear, Bomb-Boy-chan~"

Thwack!

Izuku yelped in surprise when Katsuki ran at Rene and actually jumped and kicked the brunet in the head. The blonde yelled a few more profanities at Rene before stomping away. Midoriya anxiously picked up the fallen fedora before helping Rene to his feet, the teen sighing shakily.

"Wh-Why do you always tease him like that, Rene-san?"

Rene merely smiled, accepting his fedora and dusting it off before setting it on his head.

"You may not see it, but I find it fun."

Midoriya sweatdropped.

"'F-Fun'...you call getting socked and kicked in the face 'fun'?"

Rene sighed and got to his feet, dusting his pants and the front of his blazer off slightly.

"Well, I'd say an angry reaction is better than being ignored, no?" Rene ruffled Izuku's hair. "And he reminds me of a hissing cat that puffs himself up when he gets angry."

Midoriya sighed and shook his head, shoulders drooping slightly, feeling exhausted. Rene noticed and slung an arm over the teen's shoulders as they started to walk again.

"What's on your mind, hm?"

The teen bit his lip.

"I...I'm Quirkless. And you know I met All Might today...."

Rene kept his gaze ahead as they continued to walk.

"Mm. So?"

"I...I can't become a hero--ack!"

Rene cuffed Midoriya's head, still keeping his eyes in front of him.

"What's this quiter-talk I'm hearing from you? You're giving up here?"

Izuku clenched his hands into fists as he stopped rubbing the pain from his head.

"A-All Might said it himself. I might be able to become some sort of police man. I'd only be a dead-weight if I try to be a hero."

Rene sighed deeply and unslung his arm from Midoriya, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

"I'm sure he's changed his mind about what he had said."

Midoriya sniffed and stared at Rene with confused eyes.

"What do you me--?"

"I AM HERE!"

The teen jumped while Rene stared blankly at the muscular, blonde hero that screeched to halt in front of the pair. All Might managed to grin at them before spewing a small spurt of blood, shrinking to his skinny form in a poof of smoke. All Might wiped his mouth with the back of his boney hand, grimacing when his merely made a red smudge before looking over at Rene and Izuku.

"I had to run in order to lose the reporters."

Rene raised an elegant eyebrow.

"Indeed." And then the brunet lets realization flicker across his face. "Ah, I forgot my motorcycle." Rene turned to look at Midoriya. "I'll meet you at home. I'm sure All Might wants to talk to you too--privately. See ya'."

Before Izuku could stutter a protest, Rene was already walking in the direction that they had come from. The teen slowly brought his gaze back to All Might, shuffling nervously and keeping his gaze down.

"...Is...something wrong, All Might?" The teen smiled shakily. "I-It was my fault from the beginning. I should've realized by myself that it would be useless to become a hero..."

All Might studied the other as the teen trailed of. He coughed softly before he spoke.

"About that!" Midoriya snapped his head up as the hero continued. "At that time, after Rene was taken down, no one would act. You are the only one who would do it! You, a shy person and 'without individuality'! AND THAT REALLY TOUCHED ME!"

With each word, Izuku widened his eyes. All Might took a breath before continuing, voice softening slightly.

"Okay, but then what? How does the story end up for most of these people? It always concludes with these words: 'My body moved by itself'!" The blonde's eyes seemed to glow. "But some say that people like these will become part of the best ranked heroes...!"

Midoriya's vision slowly became blurry. All Might let a spurt of blood come from his mouth as he raised his voice.

"THIS HAPPENED TO YOU TOO, RIGHT!?"

"I'm so sorry, Izuku!"

'No, Mom, that's not what I wanted you to say back then...!'

Izuku felt the tears flood from his eyes as his entire body shook. Then All Might spoke once more--the words that would change his life.

"You can become a hero."

Midoriya cried loudly to the sky.

::(Flashback)::

Rene had recently chased away a few bullies. Now he finished patching child Izuku up, sighing tiredly as he eyed the grassy hill they were on for a moment.

"Re-Rene-san...?"

The said brunet turned his head slightly, arms propped over his knees as he sat down next to the younger. The adult's tattered fedora shadowed his brown eyes as he gazed at the child.

"Mm? What is it, Izuku-kun?"

The green-haired child rubbed at his puffy eyes feverishly, looking up with teary irises, his lower lip trembling.

"Do you...d-do you think...that I can become a hero?"

Rene looked surprised for a second before his expression became neutral. Brown gazed into green eyes thoughtfully. Rene hummed before sighing.

"No."

Midoriya felt crushed and he ducked his head down, trying to smile.

"O-Oh...."

Suddenly, the child felt fingers wrap around his shoulder and he was brought into a one-armed hug. Rene flipped his fedora off of his head with his free hand before stuffing it onto Izuku's head, smiling gently.

"Because I know you'll be something even greater."

Izuku felt his eyes flood with tears as he tilted the fedora out of his line of sight to look up at Rene.

"Y-You...really think so?"

Rene chuckled, his usually dull eyes lit with genuine joy.

"I know so." He replied softly.

::(Flashback End)::

<<(Currently, with Rene)>>

Rene had his helmet tucked into the crook of his arm as he leaned against his motorcycle. He patted himself down for his phone, pulling it out and deciding to text Inko.

You: Inko-san. I think I'll be coming in late.

Inko-san: Ah, just like you had predicted yesterday!

Inko-san: As I said before, I'll leave a meal for you to heat up later. Come home safely!

You: Of course. I shall see you later.

Once the conversation was apparently over, the brunet sighed and idly tapped his index finger on his motorcycle helmet. Rene looked down at his phone thoughtfully before scrolling through it, tapping a different phone number before texting.

You: Heya. There's a little time before dinner. How about a cup of coffee and a talk?

The response was almost immediate.

Shouta: What brought this on?

You: Eh, I thought a break would be nice. I have at least an hour to spare.

There was a pause before Rene's screen lit up again.

Shouta: Fine. The usual place then?

You: Yes, please.

Shouta: Alright, I'll see you there.

The sun slowly set behind Rene as he pocketed his phone, hopping onto his motorcycle. He removed his fedora and tucked it into his blazer, shoving his helmet on instead. He was about to flip his visor on when he noticed Leon, who was still on his shoulder.

"...You might fall off, ya' know."

Leon merely dug his tiny claws into the cloth of his blazer, curling his tongue out affectionately at Rene. The brunet blinked before chuckling, flicking his visor down as he revved the engine.

"Alright then. Hold on tight."

Rene drove away, feeling the last rays of the sun on his back.